Every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up, I go to my phone, go to my online Football Section of the Baltimore Sun, and read the football news of the day. So imagine my surprise this morning when I read the title, "Skins, DT Haynesworth agree to seven year deal".



Really?!


Like seriously?!

I posted a blog not too long ago showing each team's cap space going into free agency, which officially starts today. The last time I checked, the Redskins were $3 million over the cap, not much room to do anything. Now, I don't follow them at all, so it's quite possible that some contracts were restructured and more money was available. But enough to pay this monster contract???

Did I fail to mention, they also re-signed DeAngelo Hall to a 6 year, $54 million contract as well?



This leads to my number 1 question of the off season: What's The Purpose Of Salary Cap???

When the CBA fell through and we were told that, if a new agreement doesn't come up, that there will be an uncapped season after the 2010 season, I was concerned. I root for a mid market team that uses the cap wisely, for the most part, and allows us to stay afloat and try and compete year end and year out. I thought to myself, an uncapped year meant the NFL was going to turn into MLB, with the Redskins and Cowboys buying up all of the top free agents available that year.

But after seeing a deal like this being made and no salary cap available to handle such a contract, I'm starting to think we are already in an uncapped NFL.

I've gone to numerous message boards, asked my most knowledgeable football friends and family, and I get nothing but *crickets*.


Apparently I'm not the only one that is a little confused by this.

I know that there is a such thing as cash over cap, which allows some wiggle room, but this is down right ridiculous.

I think I know the answer to the question, though. The NFL allows such deals for certain teams that have a lot of value to the league. Think about it... the Redskins are the NFL's most valuable franchise. They never have cap space, yet are always allowed to bring in high profile players. The team's success under owner Daniel Snyder has been dismal at best under this logic, but nonetheless he gets a pass because of the team's worth to the league.



This allows valued franchises like the Redskins and Cowboys to basically, do whatever they want, with mid and smaller markets playing by the rules, including the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

The salary cap is a facade, nothing more or less. It doesn't hold weight. If it did, we wouldn't see this happen every year.

The owners are in a fraternity, of sorts. They tend to be buddy buddy with each other, so no one wants to challenge this to the commissioner. If they do, then they could face "payback" if they need leverage or support for future issues.

Maybe I'm way off with my scenario, but if anyone has the answer for this madness, then I'd love to hear it.

The salary cap is a joke...... unless someone can give me answers